Computer system having integrated printer and keyboard

ABSTRACT

A computer system is provided comprising a computer, a keyboard peripheral of the computer, and a pagewidth printer peripheral of the computer. The pagewidth printer is disposed within a housing of the keyboard.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/974,758 filed on Oct. 28, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,295 which isa Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/309,026 filed on Dec. 4,2002, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,395, which is a Continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 09/966,293 filed on Sep. 28, 2001, now issuedU.S. Pat. No. 6,641,315, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/112,767 filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now issued U.S.Pat. No. 6,416,167.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a user interface with integrated printing.More particularly, the invention relates to a computer system thatoccupies a relatively small workspace or “footprint”.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Printers for use with computers can be relatively expensive devices.Accordingly, in a work environment, it is common for a plurality of workstations to be serviced by a single printer station with the computersof those work stations communicating with the printer.

This necessitates people at the work station having to get up andcollect their documents from the printer which can be time wasting.Often, all that is required is a single sheet of paper, for example,where a letter is to be generated or where an image is to be viewed anda hard copy of the image is required.

Desktop inkjet printers are available at low cost, but typically take upsubstantial desk space. Incorporation of the printing function in adesktop computer keyboard frees up this desk space.

While it is technically possible to incorporate a scanning ink jetprinter into a keyboard, this has several disadvantages, includingexcess bulk, and side-to-side vibration as the printhead scans.

Recently, the present inventor has invented ink jet printer technologiessuitable for incorporation in a desktop keyboard, such as:

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided acompact desktop computer system including;

a keyboard having an integrated pagewidth printer;

a computer in communication with the keyboard; and

a data bus interconnecting the keyboard and the computer;

wherein commands from the keyboard to the computer and signals from thecomputer to the pagewidth printer are transferred over the data bus.

In a preferred embodiment the data bus comprises a universal serial bus(USB).

Preferably the printer is located within a housing of the keyboard.

The keyboard may include a port to receive an ink cartridge to replenishthe integrated pagewidth printer.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda compact desktop computer system including;

a keyboard having a housing in which is located a pagewidth printer;

a port to receive an ink cartridge formed in the housing to replenishthe pagewidth printer; and

a computer in communication with the keyboard by means of a serial databus;

wherein commands from the keyboard to the computer and signals from thecomputer to the pagewidth printer are transferred over the serial databus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to theaccompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a three dimensional view of a keyboard, in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional side view of the keyboard; and

FIG. 3 shows, on an enlarged scale, a sectional side view of part of thekeyboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates a keyboard inaccordance with the invention. The keyboard 10 is intended particularlyfor use with a computer. The keyboard 10 comprises a housing 12 on whicha keypad 14 is arranged. A printer 16 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is contained in achamber 18 defined in the housing 12 of the keyboard 10.

The housing 12 is dimensioned similarly to a conventional computerkeyboard and is substantially rectangular when viewed in plan having apair of opposed, longer sides and a pair of opposed, shorter sides. Aninput slot 22 is defined in one of the longer sides of the housing 12for feeding print media in the form of a sheet of paper 24 to theprinter 16. Preferably, the input slot 22 is defined in that side of thehousing 12 which, in use, is closer to a user of the keyboard 10.

An ejection slot 26 is defined in an opposed, longer side of the housingthrough which the sheet of print media, incorporating an image 28, isejected after completion of printing. An exit tray 30 extends outwardlyfrom the ejection slot 26 on to which the sheet of paper 24 is fed afterprinting.

The keypad 14 includes an array if keys 38 arranged in a QWERTY keypad32, a numerals keypad 34 and a plurality of control keys 36. Each key 38of the keypad 14 includes a key cap 40 which communicates with akeyboard circuit board 42 (FIGS. 2 and 3) through an opening in a topsurface of the housing 12. The key caps 40 engage key switches 44mounted on the circuit board 42.

The printer 16 comprises a page width ink jet printhead 46 mounted in asupport 48. The printhead 46 is a multi-color printhead for printingphoto quality images 28. Accordingly, the support 48 includes aplurality of galleries 50, each of which contains a different color inkto be fed via passages 52 to the printhead 46.

The printer 16 includes a controller printed circuit board (PCB) 55. ThePCB 55 receives printing commands from the computer (not shown) via aUSB connector 56 (FIG. 1). A printhead PCB 54 communicates with theprinthead 46 via a TAB automated bond film 58 or any other suitable,flexible film. The controller PCB 55 connects to the printhead PCB 54via a flexible film.

A retaining device, in the form of a locking member 60, releasably locksthe printer 16 in position in the chamber 18 of the housing 12. Thelocking device 60 includes a cam-like locking member 62.

Further, the printer 16 includes an ink supply cartridge (not shown) forfeeding ink to the galleries 50 of the printhead support 48. The inksupply cartridge is accessed through an opening, closed off by a lid 64(FIG. 1), in a top surface of the housing 12 to replace the cartridgewhen its supply of ink has been depleted.

The keyboard 10 includes a feed mechanism 66 for feeding the sheet ofpaper 24 to the printer 16. The feed mechanism 66 comprises an endlessbelt 68 which is rotated by a drive roller 70 and extends about anopposed, idler roller 72. A planar member in the form of a sprung metalplate 74 bears against the belt 68 to maintain the planarity of the belt68 and, accordingly, the sheet of paper 24.

An engaging means, in the form of at least one spiked wheel 76, isarranged intermediate the printer 16 and the ejection slot 26. The, oreach, spiked wheel 76 engages the sheet of paper 24, after printing ofthe image 28, and feeds the sheet of paper 24 through the ejection slot26 to be accessed by the user.

In use, when an image 28 is to be printed, the user inserts a sheet ofpaper into the keyboard through the input slot 22 where it is fed to theprinter 16 by the feed arrangement 66. By means of an appropriatecommand via the computer, the information or image to be printed is fedto the printer 16 via the USB connector 56 and the controller PCB 55.The printer 16 is controlled by the PCB 55 to print the image 28 on thesheet of paper 24 and to cause ejection of the sheet of paper 24together with its printed image 28 thereon through the ejection slot 26.

It is an advantage of the invention that a computer peripheral isprovided which enables a person rapidly to obtain copies of images whileseated before the person's computer. In this regard, it is to be notedthat the printer 16 is a high speed printer which can print at rates ofup to 30 pages per minute. Hence, the need for using a communal workstation is obviated. In addition, the incorporation of the printerwithin the keyboard 10 considerably reduces the space required for acomputer together with its peripherals and, in so doing, providing morespace to a user. It will be appreciated that this can be of majorbenefit where the work station is a confined working space.

1. A computer system comprising: a computer; a keyboard peripheral ofthe computer; and a pagewidth printer peripheral of the computer,wherein the printer includes a print media transport mechanism in theform of a belt-and-roller assembly to transport media along a transportpath, and wherein the printer includes a planar member biased againstthe print media transport mechanism to maintain planarity of print mediain use; and wherein the pagewidth printer is disposed within a housingof the keyboard.
 2. A computer system according to claim 1, wherein thehousing of keyboard comprises print media entrance and exit apertures,the print media transport path being defined between the entrance andexit apertures.
 3. A computer system according to claim 2, wherein thepagewidth printer comprises a pagewidth printhead disposed in anoperative position relative to the print media transport path so as toprint on the print media being transported along said path.
 4. Acomputer system according to claim 1, further comprising a data businterconnecting the keyboard and pagewidth printer to the computer,wherein printing commands from the computer to the pagewidth printer aretransferred over the data bus.
 5. A computer system according to claim4, wherein the data bus comprises a universal serial bus.
 6. A computersystem according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the keyboardcomprises a port to receive an ink cartridge to replenish the pagewidthprinter.